From 2011 to 2014, Californians can see
how drastic the severe drought our planet has been facing is. Before Governor
Brown declared in 2015 the Drought State of Emergency California was in, the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) commenced the WaterSense H2Otel
Challenge in the month of February of 2014. The principle of this challenge is
to motivate all hotels to “ACT: Assess, Change, and Track.”. Since the last
time I personally stayed at a hotel, I remember how water captivated an
elegance on the premises. On the other hand, water isn’t only used as a
decoration, but for different departments and functions in a hotel. Some of the
biggest uses for water within these departments are kitchen/dishwashing, pools,
cooling/heating, laundry, and landscaping. Unfortunately, during these past 10
years, the cost of water has increased and the 15% of total water that is used
within these institutional facilities would have to begin undergoing
water-efficient techniques for the variety of water needs hotels encounter. As
WaterSense teamed up with EPA in this H2Otel Challenge, many hotels
across the United States have been informed, challenged, and signed up for the
pledge to “ACT”. Yet, hotels need to prove if WaterSense can have an effective
influence on them and if facilities can promote these water-efficient changes
and new techniques.
The challenge at work
WaterSense emphasizes that anyone, from
an employee to a facility manager, can practice water-efficiency management for
the better interest of the hotel. Many times, hotels do not have the control of
how much water guests use within their rooms. A hotel cannot put a limit to the
amount of water consumed by the guest for this will not solve the issue or
spread awareness. An effective way to undergo this investigation is by
following “ACT”. What can be done first
is an effective plan of “assess” and communication between the hotel and its
guests regarding the water management goals. The key here is goals, not limits.
This sets a clear line between what is to be achieved within the hotel with
every guests stay without making them feel restrained from the consumption of
water. After the hotel accepts the challenge to conserve water and be well
informed of this monitor on water-use, the next step is to locate any equipment
or water use/systems that pull large amounts of water consumption and commence
some “changes” to lessen the intake on water. Next, monitor or “track” the
process. Previous water bills can reveal if changes have been either effective
or ineffective. To receive more feedback or a different point of view for new
improvements, consider interviewing personnel, touring the facility, or
checklists can help obtain more accurate calculations on the use of water
intake.
One example of challenge
participants
From the many H2Otel
Challenge Participants that pledged and were recorded as of April 15, 2015, one
in particular has proven effective techniques and results for saving water.
Kalaloch Lodge, located in Washington State, receives approximately 40,000
overnight guests each year. With that amount of guests, the lodge decided to
get staff, guests, and WaterSense working together for a water conservation
strategy that became a success for the hotel and a fun experience for the
guests. The fun 5-minute shower challenge, timed with an egg timer and
showerheads labeled with WaterSense, saved more than 1.37 million gallons of
water, resulting in approximately $47,000 saved in water and sewer costs each
year. Promotion of this conservation continues to expand towards the guests as
Kalaloch Lodge tags in-room materials with slogans as “Water is Vital. Please
Conserve.” to encourage and remind guests of the importance of water and its
place at the lodge. With strategies like this, both guests and employees may
express enjoyment and become educated while water consumption will reduce and
the lodge finds pleasure in seeing the results environmentally, economically,
and professionally. Hotel functions benefit from the water-saving ideas at
Washington State.
Will you begin the
challenge?
Many might not consider a change or
different perspective on the use of water during the stay at a hotel. If the
hotel makes this water crisis visible for the guests and is able to provide fun
strategic ideas to captivate the guests’ interest, then there is a much higher
chance of awareness for water conservation to take place that will benefit everyone.
As simple as getting informed, any hotel can sign up to be a part of this H2Otel
Challenge. “ACT” helps hotels to plan an effective connection between them and
their guests about this subject. It is up to the hotels to demonstrate the work
they put into the challenge, the effective changes that are made, and to track
the results from the water-efficient techniques. Keep in mind, the goal is to
guide and educate guests using creative ideas during the process. How will your
hotel promote this WaterSense Challenge to your guests?
 |
| Karen Valeria Sandoval |
My name is Karen Valeria Sandoval and I
am 19 years of age. I was born and raised in the city of Loma Linda, California.
Two years ago, I decided to further my education in Hospitality Management at
California State Polytechnic University in Pomona, California. With my HRT
degree in hand one day, I wish to work in a luxury resort either out of state
or in San Diego with intentions of becoming a manager. Currently, I am working
as a waitress for special events at different reception halls for my parents’
family owned business. On time off from school and work, I enjoy traveling, taking
photographs, surfing, and snowboarding. One day I hope to own a house near the
beach and own a blue-eyed Siberian husky.
References
"EPA
WaterSense | Commercial Water Use & Conservation | Tools &
Training." EPA. Environmental Protection Agency. Web. 4 May 2015.
"The
WaterSense Current Summer 2013." EPA. Environmental Protection
Agency. Web. 4 May 2015.
"Top
Story: State Urban Water Users Exceed 20 Percent Conservation Goal For
December." California Drought. Web. 4 May 2015.
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